This 1976 Ford 2600 diesel just recently started blowing the fuse that is located next to the instrument panel above the gas tank. It is the 1/2" or so 20 amp fuse (at least that is the amperage fuse that has always been there). At the same time the tractor will now start with gear selector in any position. I recently replaced the alternator, voltage regulator, and the battery and all seemed to be working fine. Any ideas as to what is going on?
- Thread starter snow8021
- Start date
Ultradog MN
Well-known Member
- Location
- Twin Cities
The fuse should only be 3 amps.
All it does is protect the guages and
alternator warning light.
Look for mouse nests and evidence of
chewed wires on top of the fuel tank and
around the guage cluster.
The neutral safety switch problem is
completely unrelated to the fuse problem.
When you turn the key to start the engine
power goes through the NS switch and then
to the solenoid. If we could have caught
you before you replaced the alt, reg, etc
we probably would have advised you install
a GM/Delco 10 si alternator and a new
3000 wiring harness. Cheaper and better.
All it does is protect the guages and
alternator warning light.
Look for mouse nests and evidence of
chewed wires on top of the fuel tank and
around the guage cluster.
The neutral safety switch problem is
completely unrelated to the fuse problem.
When you turn the key to start the engine
power goes through the NS switch and then
to the solenoid. If we could have caught
you before you replaced the alt, reg, etc
we probably would have advised you install
a GM/Delco 10 si alternator and a new
3000 wiring harness. Cheaper and better.
Thanks for the quick reply.
I will get some 3 amp fuses and replace the 20 with it and look for loose or frayed wires. I've owned this tractor since 1983 and never had a fuse problem (or safety switch problem).
I replaced those other items about 2 or 3 months ago when the battery tested bad on two cells and I kept getting a fault light from the alternator which I took to Autozone and they tested it showing bad wiring.
Just seems weird that I get these two problems at the same time. I discovered these issues a couple of days ago when I started the tractor and noticed the gas gauge not working and alternator light not shining. Tracked the fuse which i changed with a spare and after starting the tractor which started with the gear selector in high rather than neutral the lights were back on but then promptly went out after about 10 seconds when the replacement fuse blew. So that's where I am.
I will get some 3 amp fuses and replace the 20 with it and look for loose or frayed wires. I've owned this tractor since 1983 and never had a fuse problem (or safety switch problem).
I replaced those other items about 2 or 3 months ago when the battery tested bad on two cells and I kept getting a fault light from the alternator which I took to Autozone and they tested it showing bad wiring.
Just seems weird that I get these two problems at the same time. I discovered these issues a couple of days ago when I started the tractor and noticed the gas gauge not working and alternator light not shining. Tracked the fuse which i changed with a spare and after starting the tractor which started with the gear selector in high rather than neutral the lights were back on but then promptly went out after about 10 seconds when the replacement fuse blew. So that's where I am.
Sean in PA
Well-known Member
If you recently had mice or rats infest the tractor it's not that strange. Those little rodents will chew on anything out of habit especially wire insulation. The two wires going to and from the neutral safety switch are next to each other in the harness so if those two wires had the insulation chewed off of them then the neutral safety switch is effectively bypassed when they short to each other. And any of a number of different wires being chewed though could cause a short that would blow the fuse behind the instrument panel.
Additional Info:
Checked all the wires and found a few frays. Repaired those and traced all positive and negative wires through the harness after taking the tape off. Found no ground coming through voltage regulator so have a warranty replacement coming for that. Checked the safety switch and found continuity through all three ranges of selector so looks like a bad safety switch.
Thanks for the advice from all posters!
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